
Hannah Pierce, BSN
June 26, 2025
Indiana’s nursing programs offer clear, structured pathways, from Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certificates through advanced Nurse Practitioner (NP) degrees, tailored to the state’s varied healthcare systems. Whether you’re earning your CNA credential, advancing from Registered Nurse (RN) to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), completing Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) training, or pursuing an NP track, Indiana’s colleges and healthcare organizations provide classroom, online, and hybrid learning coupled with clinical rotations at Indianapolis hospitals and regional clinics. Graduates gain hands‑on experience, evidence‑based competencies, and leadership skills, ready to meet both metropolitan and community health needs across the Hoosier State.
Saint Mary of the Woods, IN - Private 4-year - smwc.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College's on-campus Bachelor of Science in Nursing program integrates liberal arts with a holistic health approach, preparing students for diverse healthcare roles. It requires a TEAS score of 58% for admission and emphasizes patient safety, leadership, and professionalism through state-of-the-art labs and clinical partnerships. Graduates meet licensure requirements in all 50 states, with financial aid available. This Roman Catholic-affiliated, military-friendly program focuses on compassionate care and communication skills.
Online Learning - Visit Website
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College offers an online Paramedic to BSN program tailored for Indiana paramedics seeking to become registered nurses. It requires a paramedic license, 2.5 GPA, and proficiency on the ATI TEAS exam for admission. The flexible 125-credit-hour curriculum includes 60 clinical hours and minimal campus visits, allowing students to work while studying. Graduates are prepared for nursing roles, with an average RN salary of $81,220, and the program is military-friendly and Roman Catholic-affiliated.
Hammond, IN - Public 4-Year - pnw.edu
Concentration: Professional Nursing - Campus Based - Visit Website
Purdue University Northwest offers a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing with a concentration in Professional Nursing, accredited by ACEN. This on-campus program prepares students for generalist roles through a curriculum blending general education and specialized nursing courses, including a capstone project. It emphasizes comprehensive, safe care across diverse healthcare settings and requires an ACT or SAT entrance exam for admission. Opportunities for involvement in honor societies and practical training enhance the educational experience, making it an affordable and respected pathway to advanced nursing degrees and careers.
Concentration: Accelerated Bachelor’s Second Degree - Campus Based - Visit Website
Purdue University Northwest's Accelerated Bachelor’s Second Degree in Nursing is designed for non-nurses with a prior baccalaureate degree. This intensive four-semester program includes clinical practicum starting in the first semester and requires a 3.0 GPA and 'C' or better in prerequisites. It prepares students for high-demand nursing roles with a focus on evidence-based practice and specialty areas, culminating in final clinical rotations. Accredited by ACEN and NLN, it has a high licensure pass rate and requires an ACT or SAT entrance exam for admission.
Indianapolis, IN - Public 4-Year - indianapolis.iu.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Indiana University-Indianapolis offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program with traditional and accelerated tracks, starting in August or January. It emphasizes hands-on learning and meets Indiana licensure requirements, preparing students for nursing careers. Admission requires meeting academic criteria, including potential ACT or SAT exams, with rolling reviews for some options. Financial aid and scholarships are available to support diverse student needs.
Concentration: Second Degree Accelerated - Campus Based - Visit Website
The Second Degree Accelerated BSN Track at Indiana University-Indianapolis is for individuals with a prior bachelor's degree, offering a fast-paced path to nursing. It includes rigorous coursework and clinical experiences to prepare for the NCLEX-RN exam, with flexible start dates in fall, spring, or summer. Admission requires a bachelor's degree and prerequisite courses, and may involve entrance exams like ACT or SAT. Financial aid is available for eligible students.
Concentration: RN to BSN - Online Learning - Visit Website
Indiana University-Indianapolis provides an online RN to BSN program for registered nurses seeking career advancement. This flexible, distance-accessible curriculum enhances clinical and leadership skills, designed for working professionals. Admission requires an RN license, and while entrance exams are not specified, financial aid options support students in balancing education with personal commitments for broader healthcare opportunities.
Muncie, IN - Public 4-Year - bsu.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Ball State University's Nursing Major offers a comprehensive bachelor's program with rigorous coursework and extensive clinical experience in state-of-the-art labs, leading to high NCLEX-RN pass rates. Specializations in pediatric, psychiatric, and community health nursing provide diverse career paths. Admission is selective and requires an ACT or SAT entrance exam, with financial aid available for eligible students, preparing graduates for RN licensure and advanced studies.
Concentration: LPN Transition - Campus Based - Visit Website
Ball State University's LPN to BS program focuses on the LPN Transition concentration, enabling Licensed Practical Nurses to advance to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. It leverages prior experience with flexible study plans for working professionals, includes practical clinical training, and prepares for the NCLEX-RN exam with high pass rates. Admission requires an LPN license, and as a bachelor's-level program, it necessitates an ACT or SAT entrance exam, offering an accessible pathway to RN roles.
Online Learning - Visit Website
Ball State University's online RN to BS program provides a flexible, CCNE-accredited pathway for registered nurses to earn a bachelor's degree, emphasizing leadership, community health, and evidence-based practice. With 100% online coursework, affordable tuition, and transfer-friendly policies, it allows for local clinical hours. As a bachelor's-level completion program, it may require an ACT or SAT entrance exam, preparing graduates for advanced nursing roles and higher licensure.
West Lafayette, IN - Public 4-Year - purdue.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Purdue University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a direct-admit, four-year program that prepares students for RN licensure with a strong emphasis on hands-on clinical experience and advanced simulation training. It features a 96% NCLEX pass rate, a 98.3% career success rate, and an average starting salary of $64,851. Admission is competitive and requires an ACT or SAT exam, with an early application deadline of November 1 for high school seniors.
Indiana’s LPN programs blend focused classroom study in anatomy, pharmacology, and nursing fundamentals with supervised clinical rotations in hospitals, long‑term care facilities, and community clinics. Students gain hands‑on experience administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and supporting patient recovery under professional guidance. After passing the NCLEX‑PN exam and obtaining Indiana licensure, graduates step into practical nursing roles that alleviate RN and physician workloads. By strengthening the practical nursing workforce across both urban centers and rural areas, these programs help ensure consistent access to quality care throughout the state.
Indiana’s CNA programs generally run six to twelve weeks, pairing classroom training on infection prevention and patient safety with supervised practicums. Learners gain hands‑on experience in feeding, mobility support, and personal hygiene care, all while developing accurate vital‑sign monitoring skills. Upon certification, graduates integrate into care teams across hospitals, residential facilities, and home‑health services. Their contributions ensure consistent, compassionate support for licensed nursing staff statewide.
Indiana’s RN to BSN pathways integrate rigorous online coursework in nursing leadership, population health, informatics and healthcare policy with immersive clinical placements at regional hospitals and community health centers. Available in part‑time and accelerated formats, these bridge programs let RNs continue working while they complete their bachelor’s degree. Earning a BSN deepens expertise in evidence‑based practice and care coordination, aligns with employer expectations for degree‑prepared nurses, and unlocks opportunities in specialty certification, management and advanced practice throughout Indiana’s healthcare system.
Indiana’s Nurse Practitioner programs take nurses beyond a BSN by delivering a blend of advanced theoretical instruction and substantial hands-on clinical rotations, typically completed in two to four years, across concentrations like family practice, pediatrics, and mental-behavioral health. Offered through flexible online, hybrid, and traditional on-campus formats at universities and health systems statewide, these MSN and DNP pathways ready graduates for APRN certification and Indiana licensure. Once credentialed, NPs serve as primary care providers, chronic disease specialists, and telehealth clinicians in urban centers like Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, as well as in rural health clinics and critical-access hospitals. By filling gaps in primary and specialty care and enhancing patient outcomes, these programs are vital to reinforcing Indiana’s healthcare fabric.
| Degree | Typical Length | Prerequisites | Outcome / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) | ~2 years | High school diploma or GED | Very common entry route (especially via Ivy Tech), BSN completion often encouraged |
| RN Diploma | 2-3 years | High school diploma or GED | Not offered in Indiana |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | 4 years (12-18 months accelerated) | High school diploma or ADN transfer | Preferred by urban employers, ADN still common in rural areas |
| Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) | 2 years (post-BSN) | BSN + RN license | Prepares for advanced roles, NPs require physician collaboration |
| Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | 3-6 years (post-BSN or post-MSN) | BSN or MSN + RN license | Highest degree, NPs remain under reduced practice authority laws |
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Concentration: Accelerated Bachelor’s Second Degree - Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Professional Nursing - Campus Based - Website
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Concentration: Second Degree Accelerated - Campus Based - Website
Concentration: RN to BSN - Online Learning - Website
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Concentration: ABSN In-Person Track - Campus Based - Website
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Concentration: LPN Transition - Campus Based - Website
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